The Port of Kakinada is on the Southern part of East Coast of India at latitude 16.59 degrees (North) & Longitude 82.19 degrees (East).It is the principal sea port amongst the minor ports in INDIA and is under the control of the Government of the State of Andhra Pradesh. The maritime history of the Port dates as far back as the year 1805, when the port of ‘Coringa’ nearby had to be closed due to shoaling. The port activities for handling sailing ships of those days took place near about the present Jagannaickpur bridge. In order to prevent silting in the navigational channel groynes were built extending them from time to time towards the sea, to a length of about 5 Kms. And width of abour 70 Mts. had been formed for maintaining depths for navigation of boats and Harbour Crafts.

The spill-over waters of Godavari Canal and drainage from uplands enter into this Commercial Canal which is tidal. The present ports built on the northern side of the Commercial Canal where teminal facilities have been provided for handling cargo boats and mechanised barges. The Commercial Canal is thus the lifeline of the port and is connected to the Kakinada Bay. Where ships are anchored.

This port is classifies as an Intermediate Port and is all weather sheltered anchorage Port. Kakinada bay with water spread of about 25 Sq.Km is encircled and protected upto three quarters of its perimeter by the mainland and the Godavari sand spit, also known as “Hope Island”. This Island had originated about 500 years ago from the mouth of the river Godavari obtained its nourishment by the bed-load brought by the river and littoral drift along the shoreline and had extended to a length of about 23Km so far, thus forming into a natural breakwater protecting the entire eastern portion from the fury of the sea and providing tranquillity and shelter to the ships which are berthed at anchor at Kakinada Bay. Thus , the Port of Kakinada as become one of the safest natural harbours on the east coast of India and also considered as an all vessel anchorage Port.

During the Pre-war days the Port was being used for the exports of Ground nuts Edible oils, Palm fibre, Crusued bones, Hides and Skins etc., besides the transport of labour to Burma. There where hardly any port facilities worth mentioning during the pre independence days. Since the five year plan period, an amount of Rs.10.41 Crores has been spent on the port for providing facilities like transit sheds, godown, whirves, jetties, dredging the approach channel, navigational aids, VHF Communications, mechanised barges, tugs and launches, power and water supply, stock yards approach roads, Railway sailing etc., and the port handled about 22.38 lack MT cargo during 1995-96.

A Deep Water port with 3 shore connected berths was established at Kakinada with a maximum Draft of 9.5 metres Draft enabling 20,000 DW Vessels to berth along side them . The first vessel mv.STELLA PRIMA under the agency of M/s.D.S.Narayana & Co.Pvt.Ltd., Kakinada was berthed on 17.11.1996 discharged Project material account M/s. Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd., Kakinada. With the above background and with the good tradition of disciplined work force available and nearly 140 new medium/major projects in the fields of manufacturing Fertilizers, Chemicals, Power Generation Sector are going to be established in and around the back-up area, Kakinada port is poised to become a major centre for shipping activity on the East Coast of India with in a short period.

I hope the Cocanada Chamber of Commerce will live up to traditions in playing a mazor roll in advising, assisting and guiding the port user.

Cocanada Chamber of Commerce-the 147 Years old trade association doing a purposeful service to the shipping trade and made itself an effective link between the Government on one side and the overseas and shipping trade interests on the other.